Babar Azam becomes 3rd-fastest to 20 ODI centuries: Key stats
What's the story
Pakistan cricket team batsman Babar Azam slammed a fine unbeaten century against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The 2nd ODI saw Babar's knock help Pakistan beat Sri Lanka as they clinched the ODI series, taking a 2-0 lead. Notably, Babar ended a long wait of 807 days to score his 20th ODI century. Babar scored a solid 102* runs off 119 balls, leading his team to an eight-wicket victory. Notably, he is the 3rd-fastest to 20 ODI tons (by innings).
Long wait
Babar ends his century drought
The innings was Babar's first international hundred since he scored a ton against Nepal in August 2023 at Multan. During this 807-day period, the former Pakistan skipper played 83 innings across all three formats of international cricket. This long wait was similar to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli's own century drought between his 70th and 71st international tons from 2019 to 2022.
Match details
Babar's performance in the match against Sri Lanka
In the match, Sri Lanka set a target of 289 runs with Janith Liyanage scoring a half-century. Pakistan's star pacers Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed took three wickets each. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub added 77 runs for the opening partnership before Ayub was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera. Zaman and Babar then formed a match-winning 100-run partnership for the second wicket. Mohammad Rizwan then joined Babar and the two added an unbeaten 112-run stand.
20 tons
Babar only behind Amla and Kohli
As per Cricbuzz, Babar became the 3rd-fastest to 20 ODI centuries in terms of innings. Babar achieved the feat in his 136th inning. Only Hashim Amla and Virat Kohli achieved the feat in fewer innings. Fewest innings to 20 ODI hundreds: 108 - Hashim Amla 133 - Virat Kohli 136 - Babar Azam 142 - David Warner 150 - Quinton de Kock
Stats
Babar owns an average of 60.54 against Sri Lanka
Babar's 102* takes him to 6,467 runs in ODIs from 139 matches (136 innings) at an average of 53.89. As mentioned, Babar owns 20 ODI tons. He also has 37 fifties under his belt. As per ESPNcricinfo, in 14 matches against Sri Lanka, Babar owns 666 runs at an average of 60.54. This was his 4th century against Sri Lanka (50s: 1).
Do you know?
An average of 63.32 in home ODIs
Babar now owns 1,773 runs on home soil from 31 ODIs at an average of 63.32. He has hit 8 tons and 9 fifties. In 4 home ODIs against the Lankans, he has amassed 277 runs at 92.33. He owns 2 hundreds.